Peel Thunder were left disappointed after their five-game win streak came to an end at the hands of a rampant Subiaco Lions outfit in slippery conditions on Saturday afternoon.
In what was expected to be an epic battle between two league heavyweights, it was Subiaco who extended their own streak with a 15th straight win as a slow start hurt the Thunder.
The Lions stormed out of the gate and walloped Peel in the opening term, keeping them scoreless as they ran out to a 28-point lead.
That would go on to be the defining quarter of the match, with the Thunder bringing better intensity in the second and third terms but not being able to close the gap, going down 6.4 (40) to 12.14 (86).
Peel coach Cam Shepherd said his side was disappointed with their effort after coming up short in a clash with the top-of-the-table.
“Obviously a slow start hurt us. Our second and third terms were good but then we let them get away in the end,” he said.
“We’re disappointed. When you come up against the benchmark of the competition you want to show you’re around the mark and we were well beaten.
“I thought our defence was a bright spot for us, but we struggled in other areas.
“They (Subiaco) stopped the way we wanted to play and we couldn’t stop them, so we have plenty to work on.”
Peel only notched 35 inside 50m entries for the game, but it was enough for Fremantle-listed forward Matt Taberner to secure WAFL.com.au’s player of the week honours.
The Docker has been in tremendous form at the WAFL level and continued to press his claim for an AFL re-call with 25 disposals, 11 marks and two goals.
His classy performance in Peel’s loss follows on from 27 disposals, 10 marks and five goals against East Perth last week and 25 touches, 13 marks and six goals against West Perth the week before that.
Across his last three outings Taberner is averaging 25.6 disposals, 11.3 marks and 4.3 goals, which should have him right in the mix for Fremantle as their forward line continues to struggle.
The forward was one of three key position players among Peel’s best, along with second-gamer Aaron Naughton and fellow Docker Sam Collins.
Peel will look to bounce back when they take on Swan Districts in round 19.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
